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Prison Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021

Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Questions (1101, 1102, 1129, 1130)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1101. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons released from prison in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [30624/21]

View answer

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons released from prison in each month since January 2018. [30625/21]

View answer

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1129. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons released from Irish prisons in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [30973/21]

View answer

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1130. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons released from Irish prisons in each month since January 2020. [30974/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1101, 1102, 1129 and 1130 together.

The information requested by the Deputies has been sought. Unfortunately it was not possible to compile it in the time-frame permitted but I will revert to each of the Deputies directly as soon as the information is available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question Numbers 1101, 1102, 1129 and 1130 for answer on 15 June 2021 which asked for information on the number of persons
Released from prison in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021
Released from prison here in each month since January 2018
Released from Irish prisons in each of the past five years and to date in 2021 and
Released from Irish prisons in each month since January 2020”.
As you will recall the information was not readily available at that time and I undertook to respond to you as soon as possible. This information is now to hand and is attached in the tables below.
As the Deputy may be aware, there are several ways those serving a term of imprisonment can be released into the community. In addition to completing the full term of a sentence, individuals may be granted periods of temporary or permanent release in recognition of good conduct in custody, notably by engaging in authorised structured activities that are designed to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of releases from prison each month since January 2018 are as outlined in Table 1.
Table 1: Number of releases from prison each month since January 2018

Month

Year 2021

Year 2020

Year 2019

Year 2018

Month

Year 2021

Year 2020

Year 2019

Year 2018

January

385

633

802

584

February

445

690

714

621

March

571

599

717

585

April

527

542

741

626

May

460

562

745

657

June

533

663

639

July

578

782

715

August

450

640

570

September

479

685

643

October

533

738

663

November

507

726

769

December

576

713

725

These figures are located on the Irish Prison service Website www.irishprisons.ie under Information Centre > Statistics and Information > Monthly Information Note.
I can further advise the Deputy that the number of releases from prison in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021 are as outlined in Table 2.
Table 2: Number of releases from prison in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021

Year

Number of Releases

Year

Number of Releases

2021 (end of May)

2,388

2020

6,682

2019

8,666

2018

7,797

2017

9,332

2016

15,237

2015

17,420

2014

16,673

2013

16,103

2012

17,187

2011

17,413

I trust that this information clarifies matters for you.
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